Sometimes the "little" guys take a stand and show no fear.....sometimes the "little" guys take the spotlight from the "big" guys.....and sometimes the "little" guys are being watched by the "big guys"
No, I have not been hanging out with Shift and Nick......
No, I haven't hung out with NDL Florida.....
Yes, Conference USA has spawned some unlikely teams looking for some love from their big brothers in the BCS conferences. The Houston Cougars have always been that fourth cousin that seems to be lurking when you least expected. Now comes new blood into the mix and this block will put this conference in the spotlight.....
#17 at #19
Southern Miss comes in with the 5th best scoring offence in the nation but that is only 4th best in the conference. Memphis is 22nd in the nation while 5th in conference. Both teams have balanced attacks which keep opponents guessing. The Golden Eagles does have a signature win against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. This would be Memphis signature win if they can protect their home turf. Both coaches are known for taking less talented teams and turning them into something more and this is no different.
The winner:
Not to be outdone, the Rice Owls came into the week 4-0 with games against two stellar teams in Houston and UCF.....
and then....
Rice went 1-1 in this block but they are in great shape to make a bowl game. They have a pretty easy road to the CUSA title game and possibly a rematch with UCF.
Three Teams in the Spotlight
There are three teams this block that will have a challenge unlike any other this block from three different conferences. We start in by far the best conference....heck we don't even have to count half of the conference.....the SEC West.
All eyes will be on.........
The Auburn Tigers come into the block at 3-2, 2-1 in SEC play. Their only two losses were against #11 Oklahoma St and #12 South Carolina. The good news for Coach bigred and his Auburn Tigers is that this block features two games at Jordan-Hare. The bad news is that #23 Arkansas and #1 LSU are the opponents. A very tall order for the Tigers to achieve but not impossible. The Auburn offense will center around the three player attack of Michael Dyer, Mario Fannin and Cam Newton. They will try to control the clock with the ground game. Auburn is a solid team and well coached and they will compete in both.
The outcomes:
Auburn isn't the only team that will have a light shining there way.....
The Oklahoma State Cowboys under the direction of Nole has started 3-1 with solid wins against Auburn and Texas A&M. This block the Cowboys have to first travel to Lubbock to face the #13 Texas Tech Red Raiders and than a home date against the #2 Nebraska Cornhuskers. In 4 games, QB Brandon Weeden 1300 yards 11 TD's and only 1 interception. This will be a shootout at the OK Corral as both teams will be putting the ball in the air. Taylor Potts leads the Red Raiders with 1500 yards 15 TD's and only 3 int's. This will be one for the ages that even Coach JD would approve! Fuck Yeah! If that wasn't enough, the Cowboys get Nebraska who went undefeated last season but did not play for the title. The Cowboys defense will have their hands full with not only Tech's air assault but the Cornhuskers rushing attack with 3 players with over 200 yards this season.
The outcomes:
And now comes the third team under the spotlight as we head to the Sunshine State.....
Nuff said...does it really matter that USF has only played 2 games, which was less than 24 hours or so? Does it matter that USF beat previously unbeaten Oklahoma St? Does it really matter that the Bulls travel to Morgantown and Cincinnati in consecutive weeks in this block? Do I really need to predict an out come?
I didn't even realize USF played football and does it really matter anyway when you have Sundolls?
Other Noteworthy Games
(1-2) at #2 (5-0)
This isn't Death Valley where Coach VVV brought home a title. He came home to coach "his" team and unless he turns it around, "his" team will be no more. Nebraska should win with ease.
(2-1) at (2-2)
Wyoming wants to make a statement, well here is your chance. Utah is no slouch although the coach may be. If he gets to a drinkin and does the heisman pose, its OVA!
(3-1) at (2-3)
Both teams are known for their passing so look for a shootout in Pullman. Coach Coug has "his" boys playing well and a win against established Coach packsyD could go along way for this program's rise.
(3-2) at (3-2)
A MAC showdown that has two similar teams doing battle. They both have balanced attacks so this game will go to the best tactical coaching. Gotta give some love to the MAC's!
Games Already Played of Note:
Rice 34 #14 Houston 31
Stanford 28 Georgia Tech 17
Kansas 27 #24 Kansas St 10
#4 Wisconsin 30 #10 Ohio St 10
(3-2) at #15 (3-2)
The Tigers are hungry to start winning again and going 10-2 is a possibility so the Bumblebees maybe in trouble in Death Valley.
(2-3) at (3-0)
Kansas is slowing creeping up the ladder while the Aggies are going in the other direction. Kansas should prevail in Lawrence.
#8 (3-0) at (1-0)
Mizzou would probably get more love if more games were played. This can really put Mizzou on the map as a contender in the tough Big 12 South. Probably OU will win due to more games played.
(2-1) at #10 (1-2)
When will Bucky be more than just a pretty face? Ohio State is stacked and Coach Bucky needs to get his game up to standards in Columbus. We all like nice guys but so some fire or the Bobcats of Ohio maybe the next destination. They should have enough to win this one against a good Purdue team.
(3-2) at (2-3)
Doogie Howser is still fun to watch but not like back in the day. Doc needs to turn it around and go Grey's Anatomy on the Big East. He might need to call the Fish that Saved Pittsburgh or maybe just Big Ben! Rutgers to get a win at the Frozen Heinz!
(2-3) at (3-2)
Cougs getting alot of love in this block and this week can be a make or break kinda block. Stanford has just a little bit more Luck on their side.
(2-2) at (1-2)
This could be a stepping stone for both teams. Iowa St has no pressure and with a win will spell doom in Austin.
Games Already Played of Note:
#5 Miami 24 North Carolina 20
Oregon 59 UCLA 56
UCF 41 Rice 27
A Champ Thought
Life is what is it LIFE. Our lives outside of this hobby is far more important than any video game. Stuff happens and we has individual's deal with it in our own way. Let's not forget why we are here in the first place. We love college football, this league and to some extent, the guys that are apart of it. That being said, let's get those games played or maybe its time to step away for a moment and let someone else get a shot. But to everyone, play like you want to not like you have to!
0 games played: Washington, Arkansas St, Florida International, Louisiana-Lafayette, Western Kentucky, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah St
1 game played: North Carolina St*, Missouri, Baylor, Tulane, Akron*, Louisana-Monroe, Hawaii
-Not including Cup Games
And finally, if you are anything like me, you are competitive and you want to win however that always doesn't happen. I went through a dismal 1-11 season with Mississippi St but I still played all my games and had somewhat fun. It is easy to play a game knowing most likely you will win or have a great shot, so I applaud those who continue to play each game with that chance of a win!
Minimum 4 games played:
Minnesota (0-4)
Tulsa (0-5)
Kent St (0-5)
Eastern Michigan (0-6)
San Diego St (0-4)
Colorado St (0-5)
Arizona St (0-4)
UCLA (0-5)
Troy (0-5)
Congrats and Blessings to Bucky and wife; HuskerKev and wife
at #19 
(1-2) at #2 
(5-0)
(2-1) at 
(2-2)
(3-1) at 
(2-3)
(3-2) at 
(3-2)
(3-2) at #15 
(3-2)
(2-3) at 
(3-0)
(3-0) at 
(1-0)
(2-1) at #10 
(1-2)
(3-2) at 
(2-3)
(2-3) at 
(3-2)
(2-2) at 
(1-2)
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